Apparatus for constructing a wall



Nov. 2, 1965 NOBUICHI KUSATAKE 3,

APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING A WALL Filed July 19, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

BY Nouicbi Kusafake m Mi/M 'ATmQA/Ers Nov. 2, 1965 NOBUlCHI KUSATAKE 3,214,919

APPARATUS FOR CUNSTRUCTING A WALL Filed July 19, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fi 3 y Fig.3 V

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APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING A WALL 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 19, 1962 m. m w 7 LY--- lllll {$1- is: a g [1. M LP} F n/wa, Mao M Amen/[rs Nov. 2, 1965 NOBUICHI KUSATAKE 3,214,919

APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING A WALL Filed July 19. 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. BY No Mich [(4186 0 Wm Mz M Nov. 2, 1965 NOBUICH! KUSATAKE 3,

APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING A WALL 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 19, 1962 Fig. l5

INVENTOR.

BY No 601 66! kusdia fe 1mm M m ATTORNEYS United States Patent Claims priority, application Japan, Aug. 23, 1961, 36/311,609 3 Claims. (CI. 6163) This invention relates to an apparatus for constructing a wall wholly or partially underground.

Heretofore, walls of this kind have been constructed by driving stakes into the ground and thereby forming a sort of shoring, at the risk of not only making unbearable noises but often causing the surrounding ground to be loosened or the neighboring houses to be shaken. The object of the present invention is to remedy these defects.

With this object in view, the present invention provides an apparatus for constructing a wall wherein a framework with one edge sharpened so as to enable it to cut through the ground is placed in a deep hole in the ground,

pushed along sideways, and the trench produced thereby is filled with stakes, or concrete, mud or some other plastic material which will set after being poured therein.

By using the apparatus of the present invention there is no risk of loosening the ground or damaging nearby buildings, or worrying neighbors with loud noises.

Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification and claims taken together with the accompanying drawings in which is shown the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for constructing underground walls according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a framework which has been pushed sideways, the trench made thereby being filled with stakes, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of FIG. 1 partly in section;

FIGS. 3I-3V are plan views of the wall constructing process using an apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevation of a part of a wall constructed by the processes shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the same constructed along a river bank;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the trench made thereby being filled with concrete;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of FIG. 6 partly in section;

FIGS. 8I-8VII are plan views of the process of constructing a wall using the apparatus as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is an elevation of a wall constructed by the processes shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an end view of the same constructed along a river bank;

FIG. 11 is a plan of an apparatus according to the invention provided with water-spouting devices;

FIG. 12 is an elevation view of FIG. 11 partly in section;

FIG. 13 is a plan of an apparatus according to the invention provided with a bucket conveyor;

FIG. 14 is an elevation view of FIG. 13 partly in section;

FIG. 15 is a partly sectional elevation of an apparatus according to the invention having a support, and

FIG. 16 is an end view of FIG. 15.

In FIGS. 1-6 numeral 21 indicates a framework, composed of a pair of wall members in the form of steel plates 23, 23 nearly of the length of stakes 22, positioned parallel to each other with slightly more space between them than the thickness of the stakes 22 and having a plurality of fastenings 24 such as strips extending between them. The framework 21, with its one edge 25 sharpened, is set into a deep hole 26 in the ground and a large lateral force is exerted on it, causing it to cut its way through the ground by means of its sharp edge 25, and then the trench produced behind it is filled with a stake. By repeating these lateral movements, as shown in FIGS. 31-3V, a wall can be constructed, consisting of a succession of stakes 22 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Various kinds of devices may be employed to push the framework 21 sideways in the ground. In the drawings is shown, as an example, a fluid pressure device of the Richmond type, that is, a telescoping ram 26a consisting of several individual rams, positioned at the upper, the middle and the lower parts of the framework 21 and having a fluid feed pipe 27 connected thereto for feeding the individual rams pressure fluid such as oil, water, gas or the like so as to extend and contract the rams 26a. Another example is a device of the screw jack type. By the use of these devices the framework 21 can be pushed sideways, and can be caused to cut its way through the ground. The framework 21 has provided therein water spray pipes 28, having branch pipes 29 which in turn have nozzles 30 directed to the outside of the framework 21, so that the water under pressure can soften the earth around the framework 21 to facilitate the movement thereof.

When the ground is of organic viscosity or granuliform nature and never crumbles, binds or compresses, the apparatus of the present invention can be favorably employed, because the resulting wall of earth does not collapse after the framework 21 moves past while cutting the ground. But when it is sandy, the ground on either side of the framework 21 tends to collapse after the framework cuts through it and it presses on the framework 21, checking the movement thereof. In this case, therefore, the cutting edge of the framework 21 is opened, as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, to form a pair of spaced walls 31, 31 each having a sharp edge 32 to cut the ground with. Inside the open walls 31, 31, are furnished water spray pipes 28, 28 which extend vertically and which have outlets at the upper and the lower ends thereof. Water under pressure spouting from the pipes 28, 28 changes the sandy soil between the open walls 31, 31, into soft mud, which is then discharged through the bottoms of discharge pipes 33. Thus the pressure of the sandy soil thereon being removed, the framework 21 cuts smoothly through the ground.

When another pair of water spray pipes 34, 34 are positioned vertically between walls 31 and parallel to each other, as shown in FIG. 12, with the nozzles 30 on the branch pipes 35 opening outside the framework 21 through the walls 31 for spraying water under pressure, the framework 21 moves more smoothly, the sandy soil being prevented from pressing upon the outer surfaces thereof. When the water is sprayed only toward one side, the framework 21 changes direction and turns toward that side, only the soil there being diluted by water, and in this way the line along which the framework 21 is moving as it cuts can be curved in the desired direction.

If the ground to be cut is gravelly and pebbles or stones check the lateral movement of the framework 21, a bucket conveyor is furnished between the open walls 31, 31 to scoop up and remove them, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

If the wall especially needs to be prevented from sinking, the framework 21 is provided at its bottom with a support 37 and into the gap made beneath the trench made by the framework 21 by the lateral movement thereof is poured concrete for forming a support, upon which is erected a wall of stakes, and the wall is thus kept from sinking.

In another embodiment of this invention, the apparatus is such that concrete, instead of stakes, can be used for filling the trench made by the framework 21 cutting through the ground. As shown in FIGS. 6-10, this embodiment has a cutting framework 40 comprised of a pair of wall members in the form of steel plates 38, 38 corresponding in height to the wall to be made and a sharp edge 39 having a V-shape cross-section is slidably positioned in a framework 42 consisting of a pair of parallel wall members in the form of steel plates 41, 41. On the outside of the framework 42 are rotatably mounted a plurality of anchor plates 43 which swing out from walls 42 until they are at a right angle with the casing framework 42 when fully opened. Instead of these swingable plates removable plates can be used.

When the cutting framework 40 set in the casing framework 42 is placed in a deep hole and pushed sideways with a large force, the casing framework 42 tends to move a little backward due to the reaction, but then the anchor plates 43 swing outwardly until they are at a right angle to the casing framework 42 and prevent the backward movement thereof as shown in FIGS. 81 and 811. Concrete is poured into the trench left between plates 41, as seen in FIG. 8111. When the casing framework 42 is then drawn forward to its former position on the cutting framework 40, the anchor plates 43 swing back near to the sides of the casing framework 42 and their resistance becomes much smaller, allowing the casing framework 42 to be smoothly drawn forward to its new position around the cutting framework 40, as shown in FIG. 8V. When the processes are repeated, as shown in FIGS. 8V1 and 8VII, there is produced a long wall as is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this embodiment, on the top ram of the middle of the three telescope rams 26a is attached a rod 45 provided with a forked anchor plate 46 capable of opening and shutting. When the middle ram 26 is extended, the anchor plate 46 opens to a T shape in relation to the rod 45, as shown in FIGS. 81, 811, 8111, 8V and 8V1, and when the ram 26:: is retracted, the forked anchor plate 46 is folded and drawn out of concrete which is still soft, as shown in FIGS. 81V and SVII. The other rams 26a, 2611 are for driving the cutting framework 40 and the casing framework 42.

Inside the rear end of the cutting framework 40 are frames 47, in which are furnished wound up films 48, for example of vinyl chloride, polyethylene or the like. Every time the cutting framework 40 moves, the films 48 are let out to cover the insides of the remaining casing framework 42, so that a pair of cover films 48, 48 are provided between which concrete is poured. The cover films 48, 48 not only protect the concrete against water from outside but keeps it from direct contact with the inner surfaces of the casing framework 42, facilitating the lateral movement thereof, and at the same time they keep the concrete wall in shape.

In this example, al'so,-when the ground is sandy and apt to crumble, the front part of the cutting framework 40 can be provided with such devices as are shown in FIGS. 11, 14, and water sprays etc., can be employed as in the case of the first embodiment.

It is thought that the invention and its advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it is apparent that various changes may be made in the forms, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the apparatus hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An apparatus for constructing a wall beneath the ground, comprising a first pair of spaced substantially parallel wall members, a plurality of anchor plates swingably mounted on the outside surfaces of said first wall members for swinging movement around axes extending along said first wall members in one direction, said swingable mounting being such that the anchor plates swing outwardly from a position fiat against the first wall members, a second pair of .spaced substantially parallel wall members between said first pair of wall members and movable relatively to said first wall members in a direction perpendicular to the axes on which said anchor plates are mounted, and means extending between said first and second wall members for exerting a force in a direction of the relative movement between said pairs of wall members for forcing said pairs of wall members apart and for drawing said wall members together, and means on said second pair of wall members for bracing said second wall members against a wall structure between said .pair of first wall members.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and means mounted on said second pair of wall members for unrolling a sheet of material along the inside surface of each wall member of said first pair of wall members as said second pair of wall members moves out from between said first pair of wall members.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said means on said second pair of wall members for bracing said second pair of wall members comprises at least one extensible member mounted on said second pair of wall members, a pair of plate-like members pivoted on the free end of said extensible member for movement between .a position in which they are flat against each other to a position in which they are perpendicular to the axis of said extensible member, the axis of pivoting of said plate-like members being parallel to the axis about which said anchor .plates are pivotable.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,483,574 2/24 Ermilio 6153.5 2,797,503 7/57 Livingston v6l---63 X FOREIGN PATENTS 527,364 6/31 Germany. 846,228 8/52 Germany.

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

JACOB SHAPIRO, EARL J. WITMER, Examiners. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING A WALL BENEATH THE GROUND, COMPRISING A FIRST PAIR OF SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL WALL MEMBERS, A PLURALITY OF ANCHOR PLATES SWINGABLY MOUNTED ON THE OUTSIDE SURFACES OF SAID FIRST WALL MEMBERS FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT AROUND AXES EXTENDING ALONG SAID FIRST WALL MEMBERS IN ONE DIRECTION, SAID SWINGABLE MOUNTING BEING SUCH THAT THE ANCHOR PLATES SWING OUTWARDLY FROM A POSITION FLAT AGAINST THE FIRST WALL MEMBERS, A SECOND PAIR OF SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL WALL MEMBERS BETWEEN SAID FIRST PAIR OF WALL MEMBERS AND MOVABLE RELATIVELY TO SAID FIRST WALL MEMBERS IN A DIRECTION PERPENDICULAR TO THE AXES ON WHICH SAID ANCHOR PLATES ARE MOUNTED, AND MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND WALL MEMBERS FOR EXERTING A FORCE IN A DIRECTION OF THE RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID PAIRS OF WALL MEMBERS FOR FORCING SAID PAIRS OF WALL MEMBERS APART AND FOR DRAWING SAID WALL MEMBERS TOGETHER, AND MEANS ON SAID SECOND PAIR OF WALL MEMBERS FOR BRACING SAID SECOND WALL MEMBERS AGAINST A WALL STRUCTURE BETWEEN SAID PAIR OF FIRST WALL MEMBERS. 